Wenger's domestic supremacy

Sir Alex Ferguson has just denied Alan Hansen's assertion that he currently faces the biggest challenge of his managerial career.

'My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch,' he said. 'And you can print that.' Arsène Wenger is unlikely to express himself in such forthright language, but he will understand Ferguson's feelings exactly.

The challenge facing the Arsenal manager when he arrived at Highbury six years ago was to end Manchester United's domestic supremacy, and that is what he has accomplished. Arsenal's two doubles were too far apart to confirm domination, coming as they did either side of Manchester United's treble, but the confidence coursing through Highbury this season is reflected in everything from Wenger's bullishness to the club's dramatically improved form in Europe.

Here, they simply wiped the floor with a side who had conquered Manchester United a fortnight ago. To say Leeds were outplayed does not come close to covering the facts, a bit like mentioning that Alan Smith occasionally loses his temper or Lee Bowyer was fortunate to stay on the pitch after his assault on Pascal Cygan.

Behind after eight minutes, beaten inside 20, Leeds were so embarrassed during the rest of this mismatch it would have been no surprise to find them sneaking out of Elland Road covered by blankets. Arsenal were scintillating, with something in reserve.

Goodness knows what they will be like when they get Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp back. Venables came out with his hands up. 'Manchester United have been exceptional, but when you see Arsenal play like that you've got to say it's possible for them to go all season unbeaten,' he said.

'I think Gilberto Silva has made a massive difference. It might look like he hardly moves, but he fills in all the holes where you want to go. Silva and Vieira sitting in front of the back four are the reason Arsenal are so strong defensively and on the counter.'

Wenger was not about to disagree. 'One of the best performances I can remember,' he said. 'I was not boasting when I talked about winning every game, I only said that was our target. It would be strange for a manager to say his target was to lose a few games.'

Semantics apart, the only worry for Wenger is that his side might have peaked too early. Surely they cannot keep this up for a whole season? Then again, with Freddie Ljungberg, Bergkamp and Pires all to come back, who is to say they cannot?

'We can improve, I'm sure of that,' Wenger said. Better not mention that to Leeds. Their last away game of the season is at Highbury.